Michael Bell Honored With Linda Popp Leadership Award
Queen Anne's County arts supervisor receives the Maryland Art Education Association's top leadership honor at a Towson University ceremony.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Administration
Michael Bell, supervisor of visual and performing arts for Queen Anne's County Public Schools, received the Maryland Art Education Association's Linda Popp Leadership Award on October 17 at Towson University. Three QACPS teachers also received district-level art educator awards at the same ceremony.
Why it matters
The Linda Popp Award recognizes leadership, advocacy, and contributions to arts education across Maryland. Bell was nominated by Andrea Schulte, visual arts department chair at Kent Island High School, citing his impact on colleagues and his focus on supporting educators and students.
Bell received the award as the final honor of the October 17 ceremony at Towson University. Three QACPS teachers, Laquel Nenno, Shannon Francis, and Andrea Schulte, received district-level awards at the same event.
The players
Michael Bell
Bell is supervisor of visual and performing arts for Queen Anne's County Public Schools and has led the district's arts initiatives since 2018.
Maryland Art Education Association
The MAEA is the statewide professional organization that promotes arts education and presents the Linda Popp Leadership Award.
Lizzie Devereux
Devereux directs comprehensive arts education at the Maryland State Department of Education, supporting statewide arts programming.
The details
Schulte, Kent Island High School's visual arts department chair, nominated Bell, with support from Lizzie Devereux, director of comprehensive arts education at the Maryland State Department of Education. Bell also facilitated a visual journaling workshop in his personal art studio for the Region 4 conference.
Timeline
October 16: 14 QACPS art teachers attend MAEA Region 4 conference in Chestertown.
October 17: Bell receives the Linda Popp Leadership Award at Towson University.
Friday evening in the week of October 16: QACPS opens its 6th Annual Faculty Art Show in Centreville.
Since 2018: Bell has led district arts initiatives as supervisor.
Season Trajectory
The Linda Popp Leadership Award is the Maryland Art Education Association's recognition of leadership, advocacy, and contributions to arts education across the state. Bell's honor places a Queen Anne's County district leader within that statewide recognition framework.
Queen Anne's County families and students benefit from district arts programming that Bell supervises. Teachers across Maryland may look to the award's recognition of advocacy and leadership as a model for their own work.
The takeaway
Recognition from a statewide association highlights the role of district-level arts supervisors in supporting teachers and students. Educators seeking leadership development can look to the Linda Popp Award's focus on advocacy and collaboration.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration to see how school arts leaders shape district programs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Star Democrat.
